InterACTION - February 2017Teamwork And Transformed Lives

By Jill Horsman

In the fall of 2014 InterAct Ministries, in partnership with four other Christian organizations in Alaska, launched LEaD (LEadership and Discipleship). LEaD was started with the goal of seeing Alaska Native believers discipled to be Christian leaders who would impact their communities for Christ. The program was built around a model of a Bible-based community, focused on training participants in Christian leadership, spiritual formation and life skills.

It has been a blessing to see God working in the lives of students. Now, halfway through its third year, the program has been able to train thirteen people. As we look back, we’re excited to already see some of the fruit that God is causing to grow. These are just a few examples of God’s work in the lives of some of our graduates.

Eugene Stevens – Class of 2014-2015

Since graduating from LEaD Eugene has been heavily involved with his home church in Mountain Village. He’s had regular opportunities to preach and teach. He’s also involved with the men’s Bible study and is the main facilitator for the church’s young adult team.

“I became more aware about myself through the teachings of LEaD, which were both very practical and knowledge-driven in terms of biblical truth and other supporting teachings.”

Eugene is planning to continue his ministry training at Alaska Bible College this year and desires to be more involved with music ministry and outreach to youth and young adults.

Brandon Lupie – Class of 2015-2016

Since completing the program, Brandon has been involved with his local church in Palmer and is currently receiving training to be licensed in the ministry to preach both in his church and elsewhere.

“God took away a lot of fears I carried. I was able to let go of these through a better understanding of His Word with the help of everyone from LEaD.”

Gloria Haakanson-Richard – Class of 2014-2015

During her time as part of LEaD Gloria worked on writing a book sharing the story of how God transformed her life. An Alaskan Woman’s Journey: Walking Through Terror and Finding Transformation and Forgiveness is now published and available both in print and as an ebook.

“My time was like a taste of heaven on earth. I had hit bottom from alcohol and drugs, and God answered my cry for help. My whole experience was practically perfect and I am stronger and wiser as a result of this, even the trials!”

We are thankful for what God has done over the last three years and are looking forward to the future. By 2025 we hope to see two more organizations partnering with us and we hope to have trained sixty students in the Scriptures and see them actively engaged in the process of making disciples. Our hope and prayer is to see thirty of these students placed into ministry leadership roles.

As we plan for what lies ahead, please pray for our current students, and pray that God will raise up more students who are eager to become reproducing disciples.

Making Disciples Who Make Disciples

Dale Smith, Executive Director

Our purpose statement identifies the primary activity carried out by our missionaries: “InterAct Ministries exists to make disciples among least-reached peoples in cooperation with like-minded churches and organizations.” We are disciplers! Why? Because that was the mandate given by Jesus to His disciples in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). We also make disciples because they comprise the substance of a biblically functioning local church. Followers of Christ who are being “taught to obey all things” that He commanded, understand the imperative of Scripture to gather together with other believers in community – the Church. In these churches the word is preached, spiritual gifts are exercised, the gospel is proclaimed in word and deed and more disciples are made.

One of the effective ways we are making disciples who are “taught to obey all things” is through the LEaD program in Alaska. God is using this collaboration of several organizations to make disciples who are in turn making disciples in their respective spheres of influence. As you read (and perhaps re-read) this month’s article, I hope you are encouraged by what God is doing. Please take time to pray for this ministry. Pray for the students who are currently involved in LEaD. Pray for Steve and Jill Horsman, InterAct missionaries who oversee and coordinate the program on our Lazy Mountain Campus. And pray for the many other partners in this ministry as they work to help teach and train the students.

Finally, there is an immediate need for a couple to come alongside the LEaD team on a short-term basis for one year to serve in the area of maintenance and hospitality. Please pray specifically for that role to be filled soon. Perhaps this is something the Lord is laying on your heart to do! If so, please let us know.